Citing "several sources," AllThingsD reported that an iPad mini will be announced in October and not with the iPhone 5, which is expected to come out in September. Speculation that a 7.85-inch iPad would accompany the launch of the next iPhone has been circulating for months.

Previously, the Chinese blog NetEase reported that Apple has placed an order for an iPad mini. According to the report, 6 million units have been ordered for release in the third quarter.

In March, DigiTimesreported that "makers" in Apple's supply chain have started "delivering samples of a 7.85-inch iPads for verification." Weeks later, a report from the Korea Times cited an unnamed Samsung official that corroborated previous reports of a 7.85-inch tablet.

Earlier this month, the blog CultofMac reported that the smaller iPad will likely be just like the current 9.7-inch iPad, but scaled down to 7.85 inches.

While Apple dominates the full-sized tablet market, scores of competitors have cropped up with smaller, cheaper alternative tablet computers. Last fall, Amazon and Barnes & Noble announced 7-inch tablets - the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet, respectively. The tablets were priced between $199 and $249. In June, Google announced the Nexus 7 Tablet, which is also priced at $199.

It's been speculatedthat if Apple releases a smaller iPad, it will likely be priced at anywhere from $249 to $299.

As far as the next iPhone is concerned, several sources are anticipating at a September 12 event with a sale date of September 21. Among hardware upgrades, some have suggested that the smartphone will have larger screen and smaller dock connector.